DRUM COVER by Bryan Macaranas // 'The End of the Game' by Sting (1999)

Описание: It all started out started out as a silly idea, and turned into a deep dive in re-creating a drum sound off one of my favourite songs, played by my favourite drummer ever - Vinnie Colaiuta. The silly idea was of course based on me still getting used to wearing glasses; I basically have a whole month to get used to it and thought I might as well test whether wearing them (just like Vinnie) would give me super powers just like him. Couldn't be further from the truth!!!! I told a few friends that I will try recording a drum cover and hence my deep dive into my fave tracks the last few weeks. 'End of the Game' by Sting (1999) has always been one of my favourites with VC on drums. This track showcases the type of drumming that shaped the way I play, and I constantly pull out of my 'Vinnie-esque bag of tricks' so to speak. Vinnie has a way of making a song groove, giving it space to breathe then peppers it with precisely placed cymbal work on the hats / ride bell or china. I just think VC is the king when it comes to these; to me, no one comes close. I was also able to revisit what it's like to switch to traditional grip every now and then, set-up the big ass china to my left, things I did for years emulating Vinnie, only to be told my trad grip was all wrong and inefficient....and still is (hah). And shout out to the real rockstar of this recording; the 14x6 VK Drums Titanium Snare Drum. I went through a few ride cymbals and hi-hats to recreate the sound of the original recording, and also tried a couple of snare drums. But ultimately, I kept on going back to the VK, rather the a the most obvious choice (Piccolo Snare Drum), tuned high and with a little bit of muffling and voila!

Overall I am very proud on how this recording turned out, not even my steamy glasses from several attempted takes could stop me. That crescendo single stroke roll at the beginning is a killer straight up. Another Vinnie thang....salute to the GOAT!

Recorded at Dirty Laundry Studios Brisbane QLD, Australia NOV 2025
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DRUM GEAR LIST
SONOR SQ2 'Yellow Tribal' Beech Shells
14x6" Snare Drum
10x7" Rack Tom w
13x8" Rack Tom
16x15" Floor Tom
24x14" Bass Drum
14x6 VK Drums Titanium Snare Drum

UFiP Cymbals (L-R)
20" Original Series China
15" Omnia Hi-Hats
7" Class Splash
8" FX Dry Splash
20" Blast Crash w/ 6" Class Splash inverted
22" Solid88 Ride
13" Tiger Aux Hi-Hats
18" Tiger China (modified)
20" Vibra Crash
14" Natural China
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RECORDING & MONITOR GEAR
Porter & Davies 'Gigster' Drum Throne Monitor
Mics are mix of brands
Beyerdynamic 57/58c for rack and floor tom
Beyerdynamic D50d for main snare
Lewitt LCT240 for overheads
Lewitt DTP640REX w/ Dr Alien Smith Subkick 01 for kick
Sennheiser e906 for snare bottom
Prodipe A1 Pencil Condenser on Hi-Hats
Logic Pro X DAW
Audient id44 + SP8 Interface